Iago's Soliloquy in Othello Essay

Question: Choose a soliloquy from shakespearess Othello and discuss to what extent it reflects the complex nature of tragedy, Shakespeares purpose and dramatic devices in the play as a whole.

Thus do I ever make my fool my purse;

For I mine own gained knowledge should profane,

If I would time expend with such a snipe

But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor(1.3.365-386)

In Shakespeares Othello, Shakespeare applies dramatic and literary devices to explore the concept of human nature. Through Iagos soliloquy, Shakespeare reveals Iago s persona to the audience and is able to reflect the aspects tragedy as well as shape meaning in regards to human condition. In particular, Shakespeare explores the human characteristics of jealousy, the binary of trust and deception and the co-existence of good and evil. These characteristics are universal and transcend time and status. Shakespeare explores the concept of human condition to outline the flaws of humans. These flaws act as a catalyst for tragedy. Shakespeare explores these beahviours to question the rationality and naivety of humanity.

Essentially Othello is the study of jealousy. Shakespeare has written Othello as a play that represents jealousy as a universal quality that co-exists with love. Shakespeare applies the trait of jealousy to his characters in order for tragedy to occur. Through the soliloquy, Iagos jealousy of Cassio becomes evident, as Iago plots to steal Cassios position as lieutenant and gratify his own ego by bringing pain to Othello, To get his place and plume up my will in double knavery. (1.3.375). The aristitotelian hero Othello of course suffers from the hamartia of jealousy. Shakespeare promotes the idea that Othello would be the perfect hero if not for the fact he is susceptible to doubt, which Iago exploits. But I do love thee, and when I love thee notchaos is come again.(3.3.91-2). Shakespeare foreshadows the development of Othellos demise. Othellos love for Desdemona only fuels his jealousy which then arouses the darker emotions of Othello such as revenge. Therefore through the soliloquy Shakespeare reflects his purpose of incorporating jealousy as a universal quality is to portray the rationalilty human nature.

Shakespeare uses the binary of trust and deception to portray the flaws of humans and how they ultimately cause tragedy. This is reflected through the soliloquy, the Moor is of free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are. Trust is one of Othellos key flaws. Othello is susceptible to doubt which Iago exploits. Othello has two main areas of susceptibility; these are that he blindly trusts Iago absolutely; honest Iago, must I leave thee(1.3.290), and that he and Desdemona are from different backgrounds, haply for I am black(3.3.265) which promotes Othellos belief that he has little understanding of white society. Othello believes that Desdemonas outer beauty reflects her inner goodness. When Iago plants doubt in the mind of Othello, Othello loses faith in all his beliefs, I think my wife be honest, and think she is not(3.3.385), this paradox places Othello in an unbearable position that results in further confiding in Iago. This makes him vulnerable to Iagos deception. Shakespeare has created Iago as a Machiavellian villain to promote tragedy in his play; Iago begins to show delight in his own manipulative evil as he constantly adds to his plan. Othellos trust in Iago and Iagos deception of Othello as a binary has been included by Shakespeare to highlight Othellos hamartia, which represents the nature of humanity.

In Othello Shakespeare applies the contrasts good and evil to highlight how they can also co-exist as elements of humanity. Shakespeare does this through his use of imagery to aid characterisation. This is reflected through the soliloquy as it portrays and exposes Iagos evil nature. Iago can be seen as Shakespeares representation of evil. Shakespeare characterises iago as a Machiavellian villain who commits evil for its own sake, But for my sport The Machiavellian persona of Iago is also evident through the use of reputation imagery to Cassio and Othello. To Othello he says reputation is an idol, most false imposition and as a paradox he later stresses the importance of reputation to a man and how he is nothing without it. Iago is also likened to the devil through imagery if thou best a devil, I cannot kill thee. The imagery of the devil applied to Iago supports his final line, What you know you know. This means that evil requires no explanation and is an element of humanity.

In complete contrast Desdemona represents the image of good. Due to Desdemonas innocence, she is vulnerable to Iagos plotting, I will turn her virtue into pitchout of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all Through this we establish that even Iago concedes Desdemona is good. Even in her death Desdemona puts Othellos interests ahead of her own and attempts to absolve him of guilt, nobody, I myself, farewell.

Shakespeare uses his craft to reflect both good and evil nature in Othello. Othello throughout the play exhibits good and evil. This is reflected through Othellos affection towards Desdemona,Like ... the Pontic Sea Whose icy current and compulsive course Nevr keeps retiring ebb this imagery depicts how Desdemona is out of Othellos favour. However, Othellos love remains unchanged, which reflects Othellos good nature. Othello commits evil in the belief he is destroying evil, as he murdered Desdemona not out of hate, but so she would not betray more men. Through the co-existence of good and evil within Othello, Shakespeare is able to question humanitys rationality.

Iagos soliloquy represents key conventions of tragedy and reflects the concepts of human nature. Shakespeare explores human concepts such as jealousy, the binary of honesty and deception and the co-existence of good and evil to promote the nature of tragedy and how they human mistakes can act as a catalyst for tragedy and chaos. Therefore Shakespeare uses Othello as a representation of how these universal characteristics are inherent. This makes us contemplate what it is to be human.